DUCTAC- Located in Mall of the Emirates, this center offers dance, music, visual arts, drama and other courses. (Note: this can be hard to find at first, it is near the upstairs entrance/exit of Magic Planet and you must exit the mall to reach the center, which has its own separate entrance!) Tashkeel - Located in Nad Al Sheba, Tashkeel is a gallery and arts center that also offers classes that have included jewelry making and Adobe Photoshop. Dubai International Arts Center - Located in Jumeriah, DIAC is a gallery and arts center that offers assorted visual arts courses. This sometimes includes Arabic Calligraphy! The Centre for Musical Artsis located in both the DUCTAC Center in Mall of the Emirates and in the Gold and Diamond Park just the next exit from Mall of Emirates on Sheik Zayed Road. They offer all sorts of instrumental classes, which can be group or private. They also have ensemble opportunities.
For Kids
Little League Baseball - My kids have played little league baseball for years. All the way from t-ball to minors. They love it and I want them to have the American experience so when we go back home one day, my kids can also say “I played on Little League.” Soccer Kids Dubai (soccer league) - I’ve had a hard time figuring out “football” in the UAE. There are soccer training schools and then, separately, there are leagues. Soccer Kids Dubai is a league for my younger son. There is a league for the older kids, but I’m not sure of the name. Chris at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence can give you good info and James at Soccer Kids Dubai. Umbro Academy – Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence (Soccer) - This is where my son takes soccer lessons 2x per week. It’s excellent and considered one of the best in Dubai. Not expensive at all, especially when compared to Manchester United or similar schools. About 30 minutes from DAA. Lots of links for kids stuff - Dubai Kidz
Social Groups
Social Circles UAE -A group intended to help you make new friends while having a bit of fun. Meet new people, while doing things you love, in the city you live.
Sports and Fitness
DUPLAYS - Sports leagues you can join for different seasons, year round. They arrange for all kinds of sports from Volleyball to Rugby to activities like Group Bootcamp or Aerobics. Zen Yoga - Zen Yoga has multiple locations one of which is close to school in Media City. You can buy a "booklet" of classes and then choose when it suits you to attend. They offer beginners to advanced yoga. Kayaking - This is in Abu Dhabi (on the side closest to Dubai, so maybe 1 hour, 1 hour 20 minutes away) but worth the trip! You can organize your own group for a tour of the Mangroves or call and participate in one prearranged by Noukhada (company name). If leaving Dubai is too daunting for you, you can also "rent" a kayak for free at Jumeirah’s Kite Beach, just ask at the kiosk. Dubai Road Runners and Desert Hash House Harriers are both running groups.
Volunteerism
K9 Friends - is an animal shelter for dogs which needs help taking care of the animals, paperwork, and phone calls, etc. They are located in Jebel Ali. Feline Friends - is an animal shelter in Jumeriah for cats. This group also needs assorted support. Make A Wish Foundation - works towards answering the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs - seeks all kinds of volunteers to support their work.
Other
Cooking Classes - at Le Méridien Dubai offers all kinds of cooking classes.
Language courses at the Eton Institute in Knowledge Village.
Free movies at Wafi Rooftop from October through May. American Women’s Association – AWA holds all kinds of events and meet ups throughout the year.
General Events
Dubai Shopping Festival - January to February; Shopping malls across Dubai There are some great deal at all locations within Dubai. As the sale goes on the prices tend to get better. Jazz Festival - Music festival held in February; the festival held all over town but primarily in Media City. Dubai World Cup - Horse races held in March, located in Nad Al Sheba. Taste of Dubai- Food festival held in Media City during the month of March. Barclay's Tennis Open - Tennis tournament that occurs in February or March at the Aviation Club and Tennis Stadium near the airport. Global Village - This would be equivalent to a County Fair in North America. It is open November until the end of February. It is a great place to experience the Arab/Asian culture. You can also buy great items to dress up your home, from all over the world. Rugby Sevens - Rugby Tournament held at the Emirates Airline Sevens fields during the month of December.
This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list, but an offering of the many activities that will enhance your life in Dubai, so start participating now. TimeOut Dubai is a great source that probably lists all of these and more!
Arts Courses
DUCTAC- Located in Mall of the Emirates, this center offers dance, music, visual arts, drama and other courses. (Note: this can be hard to find at first, it is near the upstairs entrance/exit of Magic Planet and you must exit the mall to reach the center, which has its own separate entrance!)Tashkeel - Located in Nad Al Sheba, Tashkeel is a gallery and arts center that also offers classes that have included jewelry making and Adobe Photoshop.
Dubai International Arts Center - Located in Jumeriah, DIAC is a gallery and arts center that offers assorted visual arts courses. This sometimes includes Arabic Calligraphy!
The Centre for Musical Artsis located in both the DUCTAC Center in Mall of the Emirates and in the Gold and Diamond Park just the next exit from Mall of Emirates on Sheik Zayed Road. They offer all sorts of instrumental classes, which can be group or private. They also have ensemble opportunities.
For Kids
Little League Baseball -My kids have played little league baseball for years. All the way from t-ball to minors. They love it and I want them to have the American experience so when we go back home one day, my kids can also say “I played on Little League.”
Soccer Kids Dubai (soccer league) -
I’ve had a hard time figuring out “football” in the UAE. There are soccer training schools and then, separately, there are leagues. Soccer Kids Dubai is a league for my younger son. There is a league for the older kids, but I’m not sure of the name. Chris at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence can give you good info and James at Soccer Kids Dubai.
Umbro Academy – Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence (Soccer) -
This is where my son takes soccer lessons 2x per week. It’s excellent and considered one of the best in Dubai. Not expensive at all, especially when compared to Manchester United or similar schools. About 30 minutes from DAA.
Lots of links for kids stuff - Dubai Kidz
Social Groups
Social Circles UAE - A group intended to help you make new friends while having a bit of fun. Meet new people, while doing things you love, in the city you live.Sports and Fitness
DUPLAYS - Sports leagues you can join for different seasons, year round. They arrange for all kinds of sports from Volleyball to Rugby to activities like Group Bootcamp or Aerobics.Zen Yoga - Zen Yoga has multiple locations one of which is close to school in Media City. You can buy a "booklet" of classes and then choose when it suits you to attend. They offer beginners to advanced yoga.
Kayaking - This is in Abu Dhabi (on the side closest to Dubai, so maybe 1 hour, 1 hour 20 minutes away) but worth the trip! You can organize your own group for a tour of the Mangroves or call and participate in one prearranged by Noukhada (company name). If leaving Dubai is too daunting for you, you can also "rent" a kayak for free at Jumeirah’s Kite Beach, just ask at the kiosk.
Dubai Road Runners and Desert Hash House Harriers are both running groups.
Volunteerism
K9 Friends - is an animal shelter for dogs which needs help taking care of the animals, paperwork, and phone calls, etc. They are located in Jebel Ali.Feline Friends - is an animal shelter in Jumeriah for cats. This group also needs assorted support.
Make A Wish Foundation - works towards answering the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs - seeks all kinds of volunteers to support their work.
Other
Cooking Classes - at Le Méridien Dubai offers all kinds of cooking classes.Language courses at the Eton Institute in Knowledge Village.
Free movies at Wafi Rooftop from October through May.
American Women’s Association – AWA holds all kinds of events and meet ups throughout the year.
General Events
Dubai Shopping Festival - January to February; Shopping malls across DubaiThere are some great deal at all locations within Dubai. As the sale goes on the prices tend to get better.
Jazz Festival - Music festival held in February; the festival held all over town but primarily in Media City.
Dubai World Cup - Horse races held in March, located in Nad Al Sheba.
Taste of Dubai- Food festival held in Media City during the month of March.
Barclay's Tennis Open - Tennis tournament that occurs in February or March at the Aviation Club and Tennis Stadium near the airport.
Global Village - This would be equivalent to a County Fair in North America. It is open November until the end of February.
It is a great place to experience the Arab/Asian culture. You can also buy great items to dress up your home, from all over the world.
Rugby Sevens - Rugby Tournament held at the Emirates Airline Sevens fields during the month of December.
This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list, but an offering of the many activities that will enhance your life in Dubai, so start participating now.
TimeOut Dubai is a great source that probably lists all of these and more!